Tan Law

The walk up Tan Law from Coldstream takes you to one of those Scottish Border summits that rewards effort without demanding mountaineering experience. It's a proper hill rather than a peak - 700-odd metres - but the climb from the valley floor feels substantial, and the views across the Borders landscape are genuinely fine.

On a clear day you're looking out towards the Cheviot hills to the south and the rolling moorland that makes this part of Scotland feel genuinely wild despite being so close to the English border. The approach is straightforward enough, mostly on established paths, though it can get boggy underfoot if there's been rain. Allow a good two to three hours for the round trip depending on fitness.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination that works for the "pop in for twenty minutes" crowd - you need to commit to the walk. Young kids might struggle with the distance unless they're already seasoned hikers. The summit itself is a bit windswept and exposed, so don't expect a sheltered picnic spot.

Coldstream is just down the valley, making this a logical addition if you're basing yourself at Coldstream Holiday Park. Pair it with exploring the town's textile heritage and the River Tweed walks nearby. It's the sort of hill that locals do regularly and visitors overlook - which is exactly why it's worth the trip.